subject: Macadamia Nut Oil [print this page] Oils being one of the most important ingredients of any delicacy. has to be chosen with care in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Oils that are healthy not only make a dish tasty but also help in retaining the vital nutrients of the raw materials. This results in the intake of good and healthy diet that helps in maintaining a good health at large. Macadamia nut oil is one such product that is extensively used all over the world and is widely accepted as one of the best oils that is used to make tasty as well as healthy dishes.
Macadamia nut oil is extracted from Macadamia tree that is found in eastern Australia, Indonesia and New Caledonia. Common names of this tree are macadamia, macadamia nut, Queensland nut, bush nut, maroochi nut, queen of nuts and bauple nut. The oil is extracted from the nut and then refined and used for commercial purposes. Macadamia oil contains 60% oleic acid and 20% percent of palmitoleic acid. However, some varieties contain equal amount of omega-6 and omega-3. The chemical properties of macadamia oil is largely similar to that of vegetable triglyceride oil, making it widely used both as edible oil and for cosmetic purposes. Apart from this, macadamia oil has very low content of unsaturated fat which makes it very stable and healthy on the whole.
Macadamia is an excellent frying oil and has very high heat capacity. 85% of unsaturated fat and an unrefrigerated shelf life of approximately two years, has increased the popularity and acceptance of this oil over the years. Moreover, many recent scientific innovations have suggested that macadamia oil is particularly good for making cosmetic products. Macadamia oil has a rich and cushioned feel along with a very high antioxidant properties. This makes it an important ingredient in developing creams and lotions. Macadamia oil is also largely used in making sunscreen products. Macadamia oil is a good botanical replacement for mink oil in most applications and extensively used as hair oils.
Australian Macadamia nut oil is regarded as one of the healthiest edible oils in the world and is higher in unsaturated (83%) and the good fats, than extra virgin Olive oil. It has been also found that macadamia oil helps in reducing blood cholesterol. This oil can be cooked at very high temperatures 210C /410F without loosing any of its nutty taste and important health characteristics. On the whole, macadamia is an excellent oil that gives you a distinct blend of taste and health in your daily diet.
